Delaware County Sheriff steps down

JAY, Okla. - Delaware County Sheriff James Beck resigned as the county's top law enforcement officer.

In a social media post, Beck announced his resignation on Monday, saying, "It has been an honor serving as your sheriff." His resignation comes three weeks after the death of his wife, Chasity, following her battle with Huntington's Disease.

Undersheriff Capt. James Morgan is acting sheriff, said Delaware County Commissioner chairman David Poindexter.

Poindexter said newly elected sheriff Ray Thomas was not appointed at Tuesday's regular commissioner meeting because the appointment of an acting sheriff was not on the commissioner's agenda. He said a special meeting is set for Monday at 8:30 a.m. to appoint Thomas to fill Beck's remaining term.

Poindexter said Oklahoma statute allows Morgan to be "acting sheriff."

Thomas garnered 1,898 votes in the June election, compared to Beck’s  1,339 votes to unseat the sitting sheriff.

Beck assumed the county's top law enforcement spot on Dec. 1, 2021, when then-sheriff Mark Berry resigned. Beck served the remainder of Berry's term and was elected sheriff in June 2022.

In that race, Beck defeated Thomas with 2,553 votes and 2,374 votes.   

Beck's post stated that he was leaving the sheriff's department in "great shape monetarily." The total in all accounts is $2,529,160.13, he said.

Beck also highlighted in his post, "No money (was)paid out for any lawsuit involving my administration, and no lawsuits are pending against the county for anything involving my administration.